hi Jeff
is that sword the real thing? are we talking XVI century here? sorry for my ignorance.
but let's see: the cross ( no picture ) must be what i mentioned in the templar/masonic theme. the orb, most possibly the armilary orb ( esfera armilar ) was king dom manuel symbol ( 1495-1521 ).
he had it in all the country castle doors and in the armoury of the forces he sent out aboard the first long route discovery ships. eventualy both his orb and the templar cross appeared together in arms, armour, flags and i think sails of the time.the word portugal in "viva de portugal" must be portvgal, if you look better at the blade. the v for an u was dropped from the portuguese ( and castilian ... ) "just the other day". but the wording still doesn't make sense as a phrase. something is abnormal here.
i have picture of a 1642 portuguese extendeable blade rapier ( to ilude the blade length allowance ) quoted to have inscribed " viva el rey de portugael ". this pattern went on for a couple centuries, with and without the name of the king. in another picture, and with all the doubts for my non skilled eye, i see a sword similar to yours, named as a "combat (european ) sword of the second quarter XVI century", a beautyfull and emblematic portuguese specimen.
being genuine, your sword is not invalueable, but on the way to that.
keep well
|